If you have split tickets and you miss a connection because a train is late, can you safely use the next available train?

[TheConfusedMan]

If you have split tickets and you miss a connection because a train is late, can you safely use the next available train?

 

[jfollows]

Using the next train from the same operator as originally booked, yes.

Using the next train operated by a different operator, no.

 

[AlterEgo]

Using the next train from the same operator as originally booked, yes.

Using the next train operated by a different operator, no.

That applies if using an Advance or TOC-specific ticket, but with interavailable walk up fares you can disregard the second part of that post and just take the next train.

 

[TheConfusedMan]

So if you are going from Operator A to Operator A, and you come in late.... you just get the next Operator A.
If you are going from Operator A to Operator B, and you come in late.... you get the next Operator B....? (even though it was A that made you late)

 

[jfollows]

That applies if using an Advance or TOC-specific ticket, but with interavailable walk up fares you can disregard the second part of that post and just take the next train.

Thank you for correcting - I was assuming something which wasn't actually stated.

So if you are going from Operator A to Operator A, and you come in late.... you just get the next Operator A.
If you are going from Operator A to Operator B, and you come in late.... you get the next Operator B....? (even though it was A that made you late)

Are you talking advance tickets and do you have a real example which affects you?

 

[TheConfusedMan]

Sorry, yes, advance tickets, and the example is my daughter who is right now texting me to say her train is coming in late and she's not sure she can make a connection that was given by trainsplit.

 

[jfollows]

Sorry, yes, advance tickets, and the example is my daughter who is right now texting me to say her train is coming in late and she's not sure she can make a connection that was given by trainsplit.

See https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tick...tickets/advance-tickets-terms-and-conditions/

4.3 Tickets may only be used on the services of the Train Company (or geographic route where applicable) shown next to ‘Route’ on the ticket.

....

5.2 If delays occur while travelling, you will be allowed to take the next available train(s) to complete your journey.

She has no right to use another operator's trains, but if they exist and she asks before boarding she may be given permission to use one of them.

Otherwise, the industry's answer today is that the passenger can claim Delay Repay for the delayed journey, based on actual arrival time at destination compared with scheduled arrival time.

 

[Watershed]

See https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tick...tickets/advance-tickets-terms-and-conditions/


She has no right to use another operator's trains, but if they exist and she asks before boarding she may be given permission to use one of them.

I would have said condition 5.2 entitles you to use other operators' services (it does not condition "the next available train(s)" on being of one particular operator), but others may have a different view.

If the OP can tell us the details of the journey and operators involved, we may be able to give further advice. There may be ticket acceptance that permits the use of alternative operators, for example.

But in any event they would be entitled to take the next train of the same operator as originally booked.

 

[TheConfusedMan]

So just to make this obvious to her: If she misses a connection due to a service delay she CAN use the next available train from the operator she missed. On top of that she MIGHT be able to use the next available train from a different operator if she asks and is given permission.
Thanks.

 

[jfollows]

So just to make this obvious to her: If she misses a connection due to a service delay she CAN use the next available train from the operator she missed. On top of that she MIGHT be able to use the next available train from a different operator if she asks and is given permission.
Thanks.

That would be my interpretation, yes.

And Watershed is perfectly right in his observation, too, I just don't share his view.

 

[Watershed]

So just to make this obvious to her: If she misses a connection due to a service delay she CAN use the next available train from the operator she missed. On top of that she MIGHT be able to use the next available train from a different operator if she asks and is given permission.
Thanks.

...or if there is ticket acceptance in place - which would usually be published on the website, JourneyCheck site or social media feeds of the operator that delayed her.

 

[ainsworth74]

So just to make this obvious to her: If she misses a connection due to a service delay she CAN use the next available train from the operator she missed. On top of that she MIGHT be able to use the next available train from a different operator if she asks and is given permission.

Spot on, she has the absolute right to travel on the next available train of the operator of her missed connection. She might be given discretionary permission to use someone else's train or if there is a ticket acceptance which has been published online or elsewhere she also might be able to use another operator.

There are some contrasting opinions when you dive into the minutiae but if she just wants an easy journey with no risk of arguments that's the position.

 

[TheConfusedMan]

Thanks people. The train was indeed too late to make it, but the next available train is from the same operator, so at least things are simple. I'd have given more details but it was all a bit rushed.